Scientists discover new evidence that life may exist on Mars

Gale Crater on Mars could have been inhabited for thousands or even millions of years.

Scientists came to this conclusion after analyzing the clay found there. The results of the scientific work have been published in the journal Nature Astronomy.

Samples were taken from the surface of Mars inside Gale Crater by NASA’s Curiosity rover in 2016. After analyzing the soil using X-rays produced by instruments on board the instrument, the researchers noticed the presence of the clay mineral gluconite, which is bound to so-called gluconite mud, indicating indirectly To the period of settlement of the crater, where the lake existed in the past.

The remains of glauconite clay are evidence of favorable conditions for life: temperatures from -3 to 15 ° C and water with a neutral pH.

“The presence of gluconite clay indicates the presence of liquid water that persists for a long time under constant conditions,” said Elizabeth Lusa Adams of the University of Vigo.

At the same time, scientists pointed out that the results of the study are not enough to confirm that life did indeed exist on Mars.